The Queen's Mate

SEVENTEEN

"Elle!"

She heard someone hiss her name cautiously as she lolled her head to the side and her eyelids struggled to open. Her head was bursting with a burning ache whilst she felt restraints on her wrist.

With much resolve, the brunette forced her eyes to flutter open as she took in the darkness that surrounded her. After a few blinks, the images became clearer and she could see cave-like walls covered in moss and water dripping from the corners creating a disgustingly humid stench all over the place.

Her gaze then fell on her hands and she realized that her back was against a wall and her hands had been clutched in metal restraints, making it impossible for her to escape.

"Elle!"

She heard the whisper again and snapped her neck to the side to come face to face with Liam who was in a similar state as herself, sitting just beside her.

"Liam!" She gasped and a little too loudly which caused Liam to flinch and as if on cue, the humongous iron door rattled from outside indicating that whoever was in charge of the two was not happy by the chit-chat.

She looked at Liam with an apologetic expression.

"What the hell happened? Where are we?" Eleanor questioned, keeping her voice low, this time.

"The mares somehow breached the wards around our penthouse and were about to take you with them when I jumped in after you and when they found me, they threw me in here with you."

Her eyes widened as she gaped at him. "Why the hell would you risk your life for me?" She hissed at him as her hands clenched into fists in agitation.

Liam gave her a blank face. "You are not seriously asking me this question." He mumbled. "I am your best friend and it is practically in my job description to come to save your ass."

Eleanor rolled her eyes, "and look where that got us." She muttered gesturing to their shackled hands making him shrug.

"Don't worry, it's just a matter of time before Adonis and my brother find us." He stated with his gaze fixed on the rusted door. "Maybe even Rebekah would help rescue us." He added.

Listening to Liam's talk about Damien made Eleanor feel a sense of comfort. Security, that perhaps he would come through for her like he had done so many times by now.

She could not explain her emotions but the eldest Ravena had caved his way into her heart and the comfort hidden beneath his stormy eyes had made her feel at home.

Liam noticed her dazed expression before a thought crossed his mind and he cleared his throat. "Speaking of my brother," he whispered, startling her. "What's going on between you two?" He asked.

She snapped her head to look at him like a deer caught in the headlights. "I hardly believe that this is the right time to discuss that." She retorted making him scoff.

"Oh, come on, Elle. We are both stuck in this predicament, we cannot get out of, until someone comes to save us and so, we have all the time in the world to kill." He said in a rather chirpy tone which made her glare at him.

"This is not a joke, Liam! Our lives are literally in danger."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "I know that darling, but, you have to admit that this is the perfect time for us to be discussing some heartfelt things. For old time's sake." He jested with a grin.

Another angry rattle of the door from outside made them both shake their heads as Eleanor took a deep breath and relaxed her back against the wall behind her. She knew Liam was not going to give up until he had the answer he sought.

"There is nothing going on between me and your brother." She replied flatly. "He is a very kind man, who has been extremely helpful to me and I am grateful for that. I would've been dead if not for you, Adonis, and," she paused to take a deep breath, "Damien."

Liam speculated her words as his gaze scrutinized her face. "So, you don't feel anything for him? You know, romantically." He asked suspiciously.

She gave him a pointed stare. "You do realize that I just met the man and in the two days we spent together, he has had to save my life, twice!"

"And what better backdrop for a perfect love story than a situation of life and death?" He stated, looking at her with his eyebrow propped up. She glared at him harshly this time.

"If you do not drop this topic, I will end you before Anderson kills me." She warned. "And I don't have time to be romantically involved with anyone. Especially not after the last time." She whispered the last line in a bitter and somber tone.

Liam's eyes softened, "it's been years, Elle." He whispered.

"Still feels like yesterday." She said biting the inside of her cheek.

He felt like hugging her close to his chest in order to make her feel better. He cussed the mares for not being able to do that.

"Elle?" He called out making her look into his eyes. "You will find love again. It doesn't matter when it happens but it will happen. And when you do, you will be cherished and celebrated by the person who will know exactly how you deserve to be treated. Your light, your darkness, and all of your dreams will be his to care about. Trust me, Eleanor Sparks, you're the kind of woman people write poems about. You'll find who you're meant to be with and it will be magical."

Eleanor had tears in her eyes listening to him talk as she smiled and nodded. However, before the brunette could speak further, the door rattled again and this time, it opened to let in a bright beam of light inside their darkened cell which caused them both to scrunch their eyes shut.

The clucking of heels was heard right before someone entered and stopped right in front of them.

The two finally opened their eyes and in front of them stood none other than Rebekah Ravena with a hard expression on her face.

Liam breathed a sigh of relief seeing his sister, "oh, thank God, you're here, Beks. We were hoping you all would come to save us."

Eleanor looked at Rebekah with hope but when the brunette's expressions did not waver, Eleanor felt fear creeping up her back. Something was tragically wrong.

"Beks?" Liam called out, noticing his sister's aura as well.

Rebekah gave him a look of pity, "I'm sorry, Liam. This has to be done." Saying this, she flicked her wrists, and Eleanor's shackles fell off as Rebekah harshly grabbed her wrist in her hand and stood her up.

Liam struggled on the floor to free himself but Rebekah's magic did not allow him to.

"Rebekah, don't do this! No! You can't side with them!" Liam screamed after them but his sister did not stop as she continued to drag Eleanor out, who was still struggling in her grip.

Rebekah stopped for a moment at the door to look back at his brother. "I'm not siding with anyone, brother. This whole deal was my planning." And then she was gone and the cell was again submerged in darkness as Liam continued to struggle against the forces holding him there, praying every second that his brother would find Eleanor before his sister killed her.